Public Statements

Issue Position: Battery Innovation Act

Issue Position

Senator Debbie Stabenow believes Michigan and the rest of the United States needs to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. Already, Michigan is leading the nation in advanced battery manufacturing. To leverage that success, Senator Debbie Stabenow has authored the Battery Innovation Act. This is a comprehensive bill to encourage the advancement of American battery technology. As Co-Chair of the Senate Manufacturing Caucus, Senator Stabenow has long-been a champion of legislation that creates jobs through investments in the production of advanced batteries.

Battery Research, Development, and Manufacturing

* Senator Stabenow's bill would ensure that the Department of Energy's ARPA-E program, which focuses on high risk high reward technology development, supports research and development, manufacturing, and deployment of advanced batteries and other electric drive components.

* Creates a new Energy Innovation Hub among businesses, local governments, and universities for advanced science and engineering related to advanced batteries.

* Authorizes grants for battery and battery components to businesses and universities.

* Grants will be made available for research and development to entities working on advanced batteries for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles.

* Requires the Secretary of Energy to conduct research and development, and demonstration programs for alternative and secondary use for advanced battery usage.

* Makes available a $10 million prize for the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of a 500-mile vehicle battery.

* Loan guarantees for advanced battery purchases of 200 batteries or more for onsite energy storage and production.

Lithium Supply

* Grants for research and development of lithium production in advanced battery technologies.

* Requires the Secretary of Interior to conduct a study to indentify the raw materials needed for advanced batteries and other electric vehicle components.

* Assesses the international and domestic supplies of raw materials to recommend pathways for securing reliable supplies. International trade opportunities and barriers to domestic advanced battery development will also be assessed.